Sen. Jo Anna Dossett

Maddy summarySB 254 requires Oklahoma's Department of Labor to hire a qualified actuary by January 2027 to study the design and costs of a potential state-run paid family and medical leave program. The study must analyze key program details like coverage for all workers (including self-employed), premium costs shared between workers and employers, wage replacement rates for low-income workers, benefit limits, and administrative expenses. It specifically mandates the actuary to compare different program models using data from other states and federal programs. The resulting public report will inform future decisions about implementing such a program, but does not create the leave benefits itself.

Maddy summarySB 199 requires courts to mandate training for guardians appointed for individuals with neurological conditions like Alzheimer's or dementia. Before approving a guardian appointment, courts must verify that the applicant completed this specific training. The bill applies directly to guardianship cases involving vulnerable adults with conditions such as dementia. The Department of Human Services must maintain a list of approved training programs to support this requirement.

Maddy summarySB 199 requires individuals appointed as guardians for people diagnosed with neurological conditions (such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia) to complete specific training before a court can approve their appointment. Guardians must submit proof of this training to the court as part of the appointment process. The bill amends Oklahoma guardianship law to give courts authority to mandate this training and verify completion, focusing on improving oversight for vulnerable adults. It directly affects guardianship applicants for individuals with these conditions and updates court procedures for managing such cases.

Maddy summarySB 936 amends Oklahoma's Prevention of Youth Access to Tobacco Act to hold store owners financially responsible for repeated violations when employees sell tobacco or vapor products to minors. Specifically, it adds fines for store owners ($1,000 for a third offense, $1,500 for fourth or subsequent offenses) alongside employee penalties, which were previously only applied to employees for the first two violations. The bill updates language to clarify that each violation by an employee constitutes a violation against the store owner for license suspension purposes. This change directly affects retail stores selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products, particularly those with repeated employee violations of age-checking rules.

Maddy summarySB 936 modifies Oklahoma's Prevention of Youth Access to Tobacco Act by making store owners personally liable for fines when employees sell tobacco or vapor products to minors. Previously, only employees faced penalties; now, store owners face fines up to $1,500 for repeat violations (third or fourth offenses), alongside employee fines, and may lose their tobacco sales license or vapor product sales permit for up to 60 days. The bill clarifies that store owners are responsible for employee violations at their location, requires proof of age verification as a defense, and mandates license suspensions for nonpayment of fines. It directly affects retail stores selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products and their employees.

Maddy summarySB 487 requires Service Oklahoma to create specific rules for driver education instructors. It updates qualifications to include moral character, physical condition, and knowledge of traffic laws, while also mandating new rules for instructors teaching students who use modified vehicles due to disabilities. The bill directly affects driver education instructors and students with mobility needs. Service Oklahoma must develop these rules in coordination with the Department of Public Safety and the State Department of Rehabilitation Services. This is a procedural policy change focused on standardizing instructor requirements and accessibility.

Maddy summarySB 487 requires Service Oklahoma to create specific rules for driver education instructors, directly affecting current and future instructors and students with disabilities needing modified vehicles. The bill mandates rules covering instructor qualifications (like moral character, knowledge of traffic laws, and physical fitness) and specifically requires new rules to allow instructors to teach students who require modified vehicles due to injuries or disabilities. Service Oklahoma must develop these rules in coordination with the Department of Public Safety and the State Department of Rehabilitation Services. The bill takes immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.

Maddy summarySB 272 amends Oklahoma's alcoholic beverage license fee structure by adding administrative fees for specific licenses and adjusting annual fees. It imposes a $500 administrative fee on mixed beverage licenses (not applying to exempt service organizations) and a $250 fee for mixed beverage/caterer combination licenses. The bill also sets detailed annual fees for 39 license types (e.g., $500 for retail beer licenses, $1,005 for mixed beverage initial licenses) and adds annual surcharges for nonresident sellers ($2,500) and manufacturers based on case volume. These changes directly affect businesses holding alcoholic beverage licenses in Oklahoma, including brewers, distillers, retailers, and event organizers.

Maddy summarySB 272 amends Oklahoma's alcoholic beverage licensing fees by setting specific annual costs for various licenses held by businesses. It establishes new fees such as $1,250 for standard Brewer Licenses, $320 for small distillers producing under 2,500 cases annually, and population-based fees for retail spirits licenses ($305-$905). These changes directly affect breweries, distilleries, wineries, bars, restaurants, and other alcohol-related businesses required to hold state licenses. The bill updates existing fee structures without creating new license types or altering licensing requirements.

Maddy summarySB 113 modifies Oklahoma's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program by adding two specific resources to the list of items exempt from income and asset calculations that determine eligibility. It allows TANF recipients to keep monthly child support payments (up to $100/month for one child or $200 for two+ children) and includes a new earned income disregard (up to $120 plus half of remaining income) without those amounts counting toward benefit limits. These changes directly affect low-income families in Oklahoma who receive TANF assistance by increasing the income they can earn or receive while still qualifying for support. The bill updates existing statutory language to reflect these exemptions and takes effect immediately under an emergency declaration.